The New Orleans Pelicans are sitting in a tough spot right now. At 10-34, they’ve got the worst record in the Western Conference-and yet, they don’t control their own first-round pick in this year’s draft.
That’s the price they paid in the Derik Queen trade with Atlanta on draft night in 2025. Queen’s shown flashes of promise this season, but there’s a glaring issue that’s hard to ignore: rebounding.
And it’s not just a minor weakness-it’s a real problem.
Queen, for all his skill and upside, isn’t a natural rebounder. He’s a bit undersized for a big, and that shows up on the glass. If the Pelicans are serious about building around him, they’ll need to find someone who can clean up the boards and bring some muscle to the paint.
Enter Morez Johnson Jr.
If New Orleans can find a way to get back into the first round-specifically in the 20-30 range-Johnson Jr. could be the perfect complement to Queen. The Michigan sophomore is one of the most relentless rebounders in college basketball.
He’s averaging 12.1 rebounds per 40 minutes, and he’s not just padding those numbers against smaller competition. Just recently, he went head-to-head with Washington’s Hannes Steinbach-one of the top bigs in this year’s draft class-and pulled down 16 boards, including five on the offensive end.
That kind of motor and physicality is exactly what the Pelicans are missing.
Right now, New Orleans ranks near the bottom of the league in defensive rebounds per game and among the worst in allowing offensive rebounds. That’s a brutal combination. And while that might be tolerable during a full-scale rebuild, it’s a habit that can quickly become part of a team’s identity if it isn’t addressed.
Johnson Jr. would help flip that script immediately.
But he’s not just a rebounder. At 6-foot-9 and 255 pounds, Johnson Jr. is a force defensively.
He’s averaging 1.3 blocks and nearly a steal per game-numbers that highlight his ability to protect the rim and move his feet on the perimeter. That defensive versatility is rare for a player with his build, and it makes him a plug-and-play option next to Queen.
Offensively, Johnson Jr. is still developing, but there’s plenty to like. He’s got solid footwork, knows how to move without the ball, and is a smart cutter.
Perhaps most encouraging is his free-throw shooting-he’s hitting 81.7% from the line this season. That kind of touch often translates to long-term shooting potential, which opens the door for him to eventually stretch the floor.
There’s a bit of Isaiah Stewart in Johnson Jr.’s game-strong, physical, and willing to do the dirty work. That’s an interesting parallel, especially considering Pelicans GM Troy Weaver traded up to draft Stewart back in 2020 when he was with the Pistons. Weaver knows the value of a player like that, and Johnson Jr. fits the mold.
As for draft stock, Johnson Jr. is still flying a bit under the radar. Some outlets have him projected as a second-rounder, but others-like FanSided’s recent mock-have him sneaking into the mid-to-late first round.
That’s a window New Orleans could realistically target, especially if they move a piece like Zion Williamson or Herb Jones at the trade deadline or in the offseason. Either player could net a pick in the 20s, which might be all it takes to land Johnson Jr.
If the Pelicans want to get the most out of their investment in Derik Queen, surrounding him with the right personnel is key. Morez Johnson Jr. checks a lot of boxes-rebounding, defense, toughness, and upside. He’s not a flashy name, but he might be exactly what New Orleans needs to stabilize their frontcourt and give Queen the support he needs to thrive.
The Pelicans may not have their own pick this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of moves. If they can find a way back into the first round, Johnson Jr. should be high on their radar.